Highlanders stay top after win over Buffaloes

By Bernard Chiketo

MUTARE – Charles Sibanda scored a brace to help Highlanders maintain poll position in the Castle Premiership with a convincing 3-1 win over Buffaloes here yesterday.

The former FC Platinum midfielder can even contest that he be given the other goal and claim a hat-trick, but it was adjudged as an own goal after Liberty Chakoroma deflected slightly into his own net past his goalkeeper Blessing Mwandimutsira on

Highlanders had taken the lead in the 16th minute when a Jacob Muzokomba poor back heel gifted the visitors with a loose ball in the middle of the park, which was stringed to Peter Moyo, who released Sibanda on the left to beat Mwandimutsira on the near post.

Watungwa Watungwa came back from the break determined and were to win a free kick just outside the penalty box which Muzokomba fired home, aiding the soldiers’ growing reputation as dangerous on set pieces.

Sibanda was to take advantage of Buffaloes defensive error to launch onto a loose ball to chip a withdrawn Mwandimutsira for his brace.

Luke Masomere conceded that his team had paid the prize for defensive blunders.

“The game was evenly balanced although Highlanders had more possession. We were just unlucky to concede goal. It was just through a lot of mistakes in defence,” Masomere said.

Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu was delighted with Bosso’s first win in Mutare in two years.

“It’s good that we have won, in the last two seasons we only managed draws,” Kaindu said.

Buffaloes: Blessing Mwandimutsira, Saimon Choenda, Obert Gutu, Philip Chandisaita, Liberty Chakoroma, Tafadzwa Mombeshora, Frankson Bushiri (Admire Dzumbunu, 66m), Roy Mwenga (Aria Phiri, 66m), Jeffrey Takunda, Jacob Muzokomba, Lloyd Katongomara.

Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, Simon Munana, Rahman Kutsanzira, Charles Sibanda, Peter Moyo (Welcome Ndiweni, 26m), Milton Ncube, Bruce Kangwa, Innocent Mapuranga, Ozias Zibande (Cleopas Dube, 70m), Dumisani Ndlovu, Erick Mudzingwa. Daily News